Polarization Panel to be Shown on PCN

PCN will broadcast Wednesday’s panel discussion on Thursday, Sept. 11 at 8 p.m. and Friday, Sept. 12 at 10:30 a.m. In the Philadelphia area, PCN is available on Comcast channel 186 and Verizon channel 9.

As Pennsylvania turns the corner into campaign season, Ursinus College will join with some of the state’s leading political insiders and rising stars to explore the polarization in politics and how we can rebuild a productive political culture.

A recent study by the Pew Research Center found that people are more divided along ideological lines than at any other point in two decades. The result: political gridlock, lack of compromise, and a rapid decline in the number of American people who have faith in government. How does the current tone of politics affect voter engagement? Can civility and consensus have a place in political campaigns and in the process of governing?

Ursinus College will host “Polarization in Politics: How Do We Build Consensus and Civility?” on Wednesday, Sept. 10, at 7 p.m. in the Lenfest Theater in the Kaleidoscope Performing Arts Center. Emmy Award-winning political moderator Nell McCormack Abom will lead the discussion on how we can rebuild a productive political culture.

Two of MSNBC’s “Pennsylvania’s Rising Stars,” Republican Ryan Costello, chair of the Chester County Board of Commissioners, and Democrat Joshua Shapiro, chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners, will join Alan Novak and T.J. Rooney, former chairmen of the Pennsylvania state Republican and Democratic parties.

Pennsylvania Cable Network will cover the event. The air dates are Thursday, Sept. 11, at 8 p.m., and Friday, Sept. 12, at 10:30 a.m.